Yachts sail for charities in Dana Point

June 6, 2014

Updated June 9, 2014 11:30 a.m.

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Boats sail near the mouth of Newport Harbor Friday in a Newport-to-Dana Point race, the opening event of the the Dana West Yacht Club's 18th annual charity Regatta, which continues through Sunday with more races and other activities. SAM GANGWER, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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Four boats head south Friday in the Newport Beach-to-Dana Point race, the opening event of the Dana West Yacht Club's Charity Regatta. SAM GANGWER, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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Boats jockey for position off Corona del Mar State Beach as the Dana West Yacht Club's 18th annual Charity Regatta opened Friday with a Newport Beach-to-Dana Point race. SAM GANGWER, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Boats sail near the mouth of Newport Harbor Friday in a Newport-to-Dana Point race, the opening event of the the Dana West Yacht Club's 18th annual charity Regatta, which continues through Sunday with more races and other activities. SAM GANGWER, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

The Dana West Yacht Club, normally members-only, will open its doors to the public Saturday and Sunday for its 18th annual Charity Regatta boat racing and festivities in Dana Point.

The event, which began Friday with a race from Newport Harbor to Dana Point, features races for PHRF and cruising classes, a pair of auctions, live music and food and beverages. All proceeds will go to nonprofits Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Group and Art & Creativity for Healing, which works with the Wounded Warrior Project.

“It’s a great way to donate to two great causes,” said regatta chairwoman Helen Hawkins. “They work a lot with (Camp Pendleton).”

Saturday will feature four races outside the harbor – two for PHRF and one each for cruiser and junior sabot classes.

Nonsailors can take dinghies on a poker run Saturday to five spots in Dana Point Harbor where they’ll get a playing card in a sealed envelope. At the end, the boat with the best hand will get a $100 prize, while the one with the worst will get $50.

“That event is always a lot of fun and it’s available for anyone with a dinghy,” Hawkins said. “It gives a bigger population a chance to get on the water and join the fun.”

Also Saturday, the club will host silent and live auctions. A Wyland painting, weekend resort stays, golf packages, jewelry and packages for boat maintenance from South Coast and Newport Harbor shipyards are among the items up for bid.

All items in both auctions are donated by Dana West members, and all proceeds will go to the two charities.

The regatta will end Sunday with a race for all boats, followed by trophy presentations and a performance by the band Nautical By Nature, composed of yacht club members.

“Last year we worked with the Wounded Warrior Project, which is a national nonprofit, but we ended up having to send the money to Florida,” Hawkins said. “This year we wanted to keep it local; we wanted to support our folks on the (Camp Pendleton) base. It’s certainly something we feel we need to take care of.”

Hennessey’s Tavern, a Dana Point restaurant, will provide food and drinks Saturday at the club.

Over 16 years, the Charity Regatta raised $1.7 million for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Hawkins now hopes to establish a long relationship with the 5th Marine Regiment Support Group and Art & Creativity for Healing.

“We look forward to hosting those who love the water and want to support the Wounded Warrior organization,” said Rick Rossback, Dana West staff commodore.

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